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English, B.A. (Madrid)

Words matter. English majors at SLU-Madrid gain in-depth knowledge of the richly varied forms of British, American and world literature written in English. Our graduates have an increased intercultural awareness and strong research, analytical and communication skills that prepare them for a wide range of professions.

Student and professor sitting and looking at a book.

Major in English

The English major is structured around the study of literature in its historical context, as an art form and as cultural critique. The major also has a rhetoric component. Advanced seminars explore major periods and authors in British, U.S. and postcolonial literature, as well as significant themes and theories (e.g., nature, travel literature, war and literature, gender and sexuality, ecocriticism).

Writing is central in every part of the University's English program, both as the medium through which we hone our ability to reflect upon what we read and as a subject in its own right. Thus, along with literature courses, in which writing plays a principal role, you may take courses in various genres of creative writing and professional writing. These courses can enhance both personal creativity and professional competence.

For information about the assessment of student learning in this program, please see the University-wide website.

Curriculum Overview

Our B.A. in English consists of 120 credit hours of coursework, including the Arts and Sciences Core literature requirements.

Major Requirements (36 credit hours)

  • One English course at the 2000 level (three credit hours).
  • Five English courses at the 3000 level (15 credit hours), with one course selected from each of the following areas:
    • Culture and Critique.
    • Form and Genre.
    • History and Context.
    • Rhetoric and Argumentation.
  • Five English courses at the 4000 level (15 credit hours).
  • ENGL 4940 Senior Seminar (three credits hours).

 Minor Requirements

The English minor requires 18 credit hours of coursework, as follows:

  • One English course at the 2000 level (3 credit hours).
  • Three English courses at the 3000 level (9 credit hours) to be chosen from three of the following four areas:
    • Culture and Critique.
    • Form and Genre.
    • History and Context.
    • Rhetoric and Argumentation.
  • Any two English courses* at the 4000 level (6 credit hours).

For both the major and the minor, one 2000-level and one 3000-level course simultaneously fulfill the liberal arts core requirements.

*With the exception of English 4110 Introduction to Linguistics, which does not count toward the English minor.

 

Internships and Careers

The English major is excellent preparation for graduate work in English and teaching. It also prepares students for a wide range of professions that require strong analytic, research and writing skills, such as editing, law, medicine and journalism. Studying literature fosters emotional intelligence, empathy, and strong communication skills, which are assets in life and any career.

The English major or minor is an excellent complement to a business, engineering, political science or psychology degree. It demonstrates cultural and linguistic proficiency for non-native speakers seeking work in English-speaking environments.

Doing an internship in English is a good way to demonstrate your ability to apply these skills and is highly recommended for students not considering graduate work in English. Contact the English Department for more information or consult Career Services Coordinator Patrice Burns.

Faculty
Tuition and Fees

SLU-Madrid is committed to providing a quality Jesuit education at an affordable price. Tuition rates at the Madrid campus are approximately 40% lower than at comparable private universities in the U.S.

If you have questions or would like to speak with a financial aid officer, email us at financialaid-madrid@slu.edu. 

Admission to the Major

To be admitted to the major, you must have at least a 2.00 cumulative average and complete a declaration of major form, available in the Office of the Registrar. Upon acceptance to the program, you will be assigned a departmental advisor.

Graduation Requirements

To be certified for graduation, you are required to:

  • Have at least a 2.00 cumulative average, a 2.00 average in the major and a 2.00 average in the minor or related elective hours.
  • Complete 30 of your final 36 credits at Â鶹´«Ã½ (either the Madrid or St. Louis campus).
  • Submit the online application for degree before the beginning of the semester in which you intend to graduate.
A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON ENGLISH LITERATURE

Read the masterpieces of English literature in an international context.

The added value of an English major in Madrid? You don't truly know your own language until you have learned another.

Gain a global perspective on literature in English while immersed in the Europe of our great literary ancestors and contemporaries. Let Madrid's museums, dance and theater enrich your understanding of key movements in literature.

Visit the battlefields of Hemingway's Spanish Civil War writing. See the Alhambra through Washington Irving's stories. Traveling to the London of Shakespeare and Virginia Woolf is inexpensive and easy. The Dublin of Joyce and Beckett, James Baldwin's Paris and the Shelleys' Italy are just a plane ride away.

Europe's cultural resources and internships provide a foundation for original comparative projects that give students an edge in applying to graduate school and in the job market.